The top-ranked tight end in this year’s draft class ran a 4.78 and 4.8 forty-yard dash at his Pro Day on Thursday, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Rudolph is recovering from a torn hamstring that ended his junior season early, so it was important to show he was healthy. It’s not a great time, but it’s also not that surprising. Rudolph is more in the mold of Zach Miller and Marcedes Lewis, guys who didn’t burn up the track when they were coming out of school.
“Everyone came away with a buzz about how good his hands are,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said via Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer after the session.
The goal on Thursday was to show he’s healthy and it looks like he did that. Mayock believes Rudolph is a “first-round talent” and the Falcons could make some sense as a landing spot at pick No. 27.
